One of the first Cajun musicians to successfully transition to a rock and country artist, Doug Kershaw became a Louisiana music legend. Along with his brother Rusty, he began playing a fusion of cajun and rockabilly in the 1950s as the band Rusty and Doug. The group peaked with a top 10 hit in 1961 and after the brothers parted ways, Doug went on to a successful solo career.
Kershaw was born in Cameron Parish, the son of an alligator hunter, and did not learn English until he was eight – the family spoke French at home. Music came quickly and easily to Doug. Over his lifetime, he has mastered 28 musical instruments so far.
His first band, the Continental Playboys, performed only in French, but a promoter convinced the brothers to also sing English songs, expanding their audience. Doug Kershaw was slow to develop his solo career. After the brothers separated, Doug Kershaw began songwriting, then moved on to recording in the late ’60s.
Doug Kershaw seemingly appeared out of nowhere to most rock fans when he opened for Derek and the Dominos in a week-long engagement at New York’s Fillmore East in 1969. The success there secured a long term recording contract and a spot at the Newport Folk Festival, joining James Taylor and Jerry Jeff Walker as first time performers.
Over the decades, Doug Kershaw would appear on the country charts from time to time while remaining a sought after session artist. In addition, he also occasionally recorded Cajun records and for a long time ran a restaurant in Colorado.
The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and National Fiddler Hall of Fame member still performs and says that “I’m relearning songs I wrote 65 years ago. I have to laugh about it. I am so honored that my music has lasted this long. It’s just incredible.”
